Mainframe Computer Systems Mainframe Computer Systems: The General Electric Corporation By Stephen H. Kaisler Mainframe Computer Systems: The General Electric Corporation By Stephen H. Kaisler This book first published 2020 Cambridge Scholars Publishing Lady Stephenson Library, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2PA, UK British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Copyright © 2020 by Stephen H. Kaisler All rights for this book reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. ISBN (10): 1-5275-6032-5 ISBN (13): 978-1-5275-6032-1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgement ................................................................................... xiv List of Figures........................................................................................... xv List of Tables ............................................................................................ xx General Electric Co. Computers ............................................................. xxv Chapter One ................................................................................................ 1 GE-100 Computer System 1.1 The ERMA Project ......................................................................... 2 1.1.1 In the Beginning ..................................................................... 2 1.1.2 The Contract ........................................................................... 3 1.1.3 Selecting the Vendor .............................................................. 4 1.1.4 Operation ................................................................................ 5 1.2 GE-100 System Architecture .......................................................... 7 1.3 GE-100 Peripherals ......................................................................... 8 1.4 GE-115 ............................................................................................ 9 Chapter Two ............................................................................................. 10 GE-200 Family 2.1 GE-205 and GE-210 ..................................................................... 10 2.1.1 GE-205 Computer System .................................................... 10 2.1.2 GE-210 Computer System .................................................... 13 2.2 GE-225 .......................................................................................... 19 2.2.1 GE-225 System Configuration ............................................. 21 2.2.2 Central Processing Unit ........................................................ 22 2.2.3 Main Memory ....................................................................... 28 2.2.4 Auxiliary Arithmetic Unit .................................................... 31 2.2.5 Concurrent Operation ........................................................... 33 2.2.6 Instruction Set ...................................................................... 34 2.2.7 Interrupts .............................................................................. 34 2.2.8 GE 215 ................................................................................. 36 2.3 GE-225 System Peripherals .......................................................... 36 2.3.1 Paper Tape Reader-Punch .................................................... 37 vi Table of Contents 2.3.2 Card Reader and Card Punch ............................................... 38 2.3.3 Controller Selector ............................................................... 40 2.3.4 Magnetic Tape Subsystem .................................................... 41 2.3.5 High Speed Printer ............................................................... 54 2.3.6 Disc Storage Unit ................................................................. 55 2.3.7 Document Sorter .................................................................. 56 2.3.8 DATANET-15 ...................................................................... 57 2.3.9 Manual Peripheral Switch Control Unit ............................... 57 2.4 GE-225 System Software .............................................................. 58 2.4.1 GECOM ............................................................................... 61 2.4.2 COBOL ................................................................................ 61 2.4.3 ALGOL ................................................................................ 62 2.4.4 TABSOL .............................................................................. 63 2.4.5 Report Writer ........................................................................ 67 2.4.6 FORTRAN II/IV .................................................................. 68 2.4.7 WIZOR ................................................................................. 69 2.4.8 General Assembly Program .................................................. 69 2.4.9 Subroutine Libraries ............................................................. 70 2.4.10 BRIDGE II ......................................................................... 70 2.5 GE-235 .......................................................................................... 70 2.5.1 GE-235 Central Processor .................................................... 73 2.5.2 Storage Section ..................................................................... 75 2.5.3 Arithmetic Section ................................................................ 76 2.5.4 Control Section ..................................................................... 76 2.5.5 Auxiliary Arithmetic Unit .................................................... 77 2.5.6 AAU Instruction Set ............................................................. 80 2.6 Selector Channels.......................................................................... 87 2.7 GE-235 Instruction Set ................................................................. 87 2.7.1 Arithmetic Instructions ......................................................... 88 2.7.2 Memory Transfers ................................................................ 89 2.7.3 Shift Instructions .................................................................. 91 2.7.4 Branch Instructions............................................................... 93 2.7.5 Register Modification ........................................................... 94 2.8 GE-235 Peripherals ....................................................................... 95 2.8.1 Punched Card Equipment ..................................................... 95 2.8.2 Magnetic Tape Subsystem .................................................... 96 2.8.3 Disc Storage Unit ............................................................... 102 2.8.4 Peripheral Switch Console ................................................. 103 2.9 DATANET Communications Processors ................................... 105 2.10 GE-250 ...................................................................................... 106 2.11 GE-265 Time-sharing System ................................................... 107 Mainframe Computer Systems vii 2.11.1 Communications Hardware .............................................. 108 2.11.2 Remote Terminals ............................................................ 109 Chapter Three ......................................................................................... 115 DATANET-30 3.1 DN-30 System Architecture ........................................................ 116 3.1.1 Central Processor ................................................................ 116 3.1.2 Main Memory ..................................................................... 120 3.1.3 Buffer Selector ................................................................... 122 3.1.4 Bit Buffer Unit Module ...................................................... 122 3.1.5 Character/Word Buffer Unit ............................................... 122 3.1.6 Computer Interface Unit ..................................................... 122 3.1.7 Page Control Logic Unit ..................................................... 124 3.1.8 System Bus ......................................................................... 124 3.1.9 I/O Multiplexor .................................................................. 124 3.2 I/O Channels ............................................................................... 125 3.3 DN-30 Operation ........................................................................ 125 3.4 DN-30 Instruction Set ................................................................. 126 3.4.1 Load and Store Instructions ................................................ 127 3.4.2 Arithmetic Instructions ....................................................... 128 3.4.3 Logical Instructions ............................................................ 128 3.4.4 Register Transfer Instructions ............................................ 129 3.4.5 Branch Instructions............................................................. 131 3.4.6 Special Instructions ............................................................ 132 3.4.7 Buffer Selector Instructions ................................................ 133 3.5 Datanet Assessment .................................................................... 134 Chapter Four ..........................................................................................